Frigates were more than 100 feet long, more often 200 footers. With more than 20 guns. The largest could have up to fifty. Only one gun deck, though. Multiple gun decks were generally Ships of the Line.

Frigg::Ronald Reagan. Syr’Nj::Jimmy Carter. The abducted children::the Iranian hostages. This comic is a metaphor for Reagan’s and Carter’s differing approaches to handling that crisis, which was representative of their overall approach to statesmanship, Reagan being more forceful and Carter being more cerebral.

As further evidence that this is the metaphor intended to be conveyed I cite the following:

1) Syr’Nj’s mouth is open and her teeth are on display in panel 2. Carter was known for his wide, toothy smile. It was common for political cartoonists to make his smile the largest part of their caricatures of him.

2) Episode number 80 of the hit animated television show, “The Simpsons,” Jimmy Carter is referred to as “history’s greatest monster.” That episode is entitled “Marge in Chains.” Here we see Syr’Nj, a Wood Elf, whom humans of her world commonly believe to be monstrous, contemplating a set of chains. Clearly this is a pop cultural reference intended to further the connection between our heroine and the former president.

3) Frigg fails to comprehend Syr’Nj’s explanation for why they are airborne. In similar manner, Reagan was not known to possess great mental faculties. Unbeknownst to the general public, this was due to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, and Reagan’s deteriorating condition was kept secret until well after he left office at the end of his second term.

4) Finally, when Frigg slams her weapon into the beam around which the chain is wrapped, an onomatopoeia, to wit, “CRACK,” results. The crack cocaine epidemic occurred under Reagan’s administration. In fact, historical and journalistic research into the socio-political origins of that epidemic indicate that the American CIA ran cocaine for the Nicaraguan Contras. The Contras are, of course, most well-known for supplying one-half of the moniker applied to the Reagan administration’s greatest scandal, Iran-Contra.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing, I submit that this installment of the Guilded Age webcomic is intended as a metaphor for the Iranian hostage crisis of November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981. Thank you.

I somehow doubt that either Frigg or her former-CIA-Director running mate set up a secret (and illegal, and unconscionable) deal with the pirates to specifically keep the children hostage until Frigg showed up and freed them herself, just to embarrass the Peanut Elf.

The date cited in the closing paragraph invalidates the comment “Reaganâ€™s and Carterâ€™s differing approaches to handling that crisis,” contained in the introductory comments. In a culturally flawed affront to Carter, the hostages were released immediately after Reagan was sworn in – that is before Reagan had time to react to the crisis.

True. President Reagan did not have a chance to react to the crisis. Presidential Candidate/President-Elect Reagan did, however. Prior to taking office, Reagan declared that, if elected, he would assume a hard-line stance. “Negotiations continued through the American elections (which President Carter lost) with pressure being added by President elect Ronald Reagan’s talk of not paying `ransom for people who have been kidnapped by barbarians.`…” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis)

And here I could only think of Obama still not having closed Guantanamo Bay. The metaphor then being that he could just stop thinking about how to do it, and just do it. But maybe that wouldn’t be a metaphor as a much as an exhortation(?). And clearly the Iranian hostage crisis looks much better with all those little details in mind.

TBH Gillsing, I think the President did try take Frigg’s approach, it just turned out that the pillar was tougher than he thought.
After all, the detainee’s might not be guilty, but they are hardly innocent kidnapped children. (Although, one did bite our intrepid heroes)

Being a DnD nerd in a past life, I was once upon a time playing the part of a paladin. There were flying spaceships involved. I’ll tell you the whole story sometime if anyone’s interested.

But anyway. I bring this up because after a ship battle said paladin was fighting in a boarding party on a heavily damaged enemy ship. He was the last boarder standing, his sword had been knocked out of his hand, and he was running around the outer hull of the ship to try to get some space. Pulled his backup weapon, a mace, and in frustration slammed it down on the hull. Turns out the ship only had one structural point left, and a heavy mace swung by a strong arm and hitting the keel was just enough. Ship broke up, everyone was more or less floating aimlessly, but the pally had some friends left on another ship that picked him up.

True story. Frigg should be careful with that mace. No telling how many structural points that ship has left.

Before the advent of Shadow Run, the gaming group I used to play in ran an interesting situation. We used to play D&D 2e on Saturdays and Cyberpunk on Sundays.

Long story short, the two ended up getting combined. Try envisioning a 5’6″ wood elf Wizard with a cybernetic arm coming after you with a M-16A1, loaded with APC rounds, and the under-slung grenade launcher.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing, I submit that this installment of the Guilded Age webcomic is intended as a metaphor for the Iranian hostage crisis of November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981. Thank you.

Whether you’re wrong or right, that’s a lot of thinking on the subject, and a lot of little details you’ve managed reference. Props.

Lotta people like swords and, to a lesser extent, axes. Bladed weapon love all over the place.

So do I. But I have a special place in my heart for the good old fashioned “blunt object”. A good warhammer is manlier than any Buster Sword. Cleaving limbs is cool and all. But nothing says brutality like caving someones head into their torso.

In an RP story with some friends, one character mind-controlled the character and had her bend her finger back and break it.
“You — you broke her finger!” [says the appalled paladin who’d left for only 20 seconds or so]
“I didn’t touch her. The poor thing broke it herself.”

I found the strip yesterday and just finished reading through the archives. Absolutely wonderful! I’ve been a fan of Erica’s art and T. Campbell’s writing for ages; I clearly should have checked this out earlier. Wonderfully realized characters, beautifully drawn and relentlessly hilarious. Frigg in particular is a joy to behold. I’ll definitely be following this comic going forward.

Guilded Age does not claim ownership of any of the corporate branding that appears in this comic, nor does it claim any affiliation, partnership, or endorsement of any kind. They are used strictly as an artistic choice for the set dressing of the comic.